From the moment they are born, babies breastfeed or bottle-feed (or both, if you opt for mixed feeding) to nourish themselves. As they grow, their needs and abilities become more refined, pushing them to further explore the possibilities available to them. The sippy cup is one of these possibilities. Quickly, this clever accessory—designed to help babies transition from bottle to cup—becomes a way to gain the first taste of independence. But to do it right, at what age should you introduce a sippy cup, and how do you know if your baby is ready for it?
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The ideal age to start drinking from a cup
As parents, we constantly ask ourselves a thousand and one questions about our child’s well-being. What does he need? What does he want? Is this the right moment to learn this or that skill?
Of course, whatever the skill to be learned, it is essential to respect your baby’s own rhythm and signals. So, if he shows keen curiosity about something new or about an object like a sippy cup, it would be a shame to hold him back.
At Élhée, we recommend starting the bottle-to-cup transition at the age of 6 months, which matches the beginning of solid foods and, therefore, the introduction of water. At this age, your baby also begins to sit up on their own and grasp objects with their hands: two prerequisites for independence.
How do I know if my child is ready for a sippy cup?
Your little one can hold his head up, is able to grasp an object, coordinate hand-to-mouth movements, and is curious about how you drink? It’s very likely he is ready to begin using other drinking vessels besides his bottle, at least intermittently.
7 criteria for choosing the right sippy cup
There are many kinds of sippy cups for babies available on the market. Straw or spout, each version has its own advantages. However, Élhée decided to focus on both ease of use, safety for babies, and innovation to create Bubble.
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A sippy cup for babies, neither too big nor too small
Bubble is sufficiently ergonomic so that babies from 6 months can hold it on their own, but also large enough to be practical. This advantage is due not only to its unique shape—the same as the iconic BibROND—but also to the flexibility and non-slip texture of its material.
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A safe and risk-free design for babies
The medical-grade silicone used for both Bubble and its sipping spout is 100% safe for babies—completely free from any chemicals, tasteless, odorless, and soft enough to make cup usage truly comfortable.
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Soft, cheerful colors that children love
Because babies are born with limited vision abilities, they only detect contrasts at first, like black and white. That’s why we created the Sand/Black sippy cup.
And as the months go by, color and hues appear, so we added the Sand/Khaki and Sand/Blue models, as well as the Graouu pattern, for a sippy cup that can join in on the most wonderful bedtime stories.
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A spill-proof sipping spout
To suit babies as young as 6 months, Bubble has a spill-proof sipping spout that is tight enough to prevent leaks and spills—even at night, instead of a pouring spout where water just flows out. Like a bottle nipple, the child must suck to drink and therefore does not need to tilt their head back. This also reduces the risk of choking.
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A capacity large enough to keep hydrated
For a sippy cup that isn’t too heavy to hold, yet doesn’t empty too quickly, the medium 8 oz (240 ml) size was chosen. However, Élhée has a great tip for you! Bubble bottle parts are compatible with our BibROND bottles. This means you can create a baby cup of 5 oz (150 ml), 8 oz (240 ml), or even 11 oz (330 ml)—just by pairing your preferred bottle body with a sipping spout.
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An easy-to-clean sippy cup
Even if your baby mainly uses it for water, the sippy cup must be easy to clean to avoid bacteria growth. If Bubble is dishwasher safe, it’s also perfectly suited to quick, accessory-free handwashing.
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Safety as the ultimate advantage
No small parts, no controversial ingredients, and an unbreakable silicone body: these are the three safety, security, and peace-of-mind features of the Élhée sippy cup for babies from 6 months and up.
Learning to drink like a big kid: the different stages
Every discovery takes place in stages. For your baby, it’s about first touching before accepting, and finally trying out, then using.
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Discovering the sippy cup: your baby explores its shape and colors. They may look at it, touch it, put it in their mouth, roll it, drop it, or toss it—to experience it in three dimensions.
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Getting familiar with the new cup: Even if your baby doesn’t yet know how to use it or what it’s for, he recognizes and accepts the cup as a now-familiar object you’ve already introduced.
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Learning to drink independently: The time for first attempts to drink on their own has come. The bottle may still slip or fall, but your baby is definitely determined to use it.
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Independence with the spill-proof sippy: That’s it! Your little one can now drink on their own like a big kid—and maybe even open the Bubble cap or carry it along for new adventures.
5 tips to help your child transition from bottle to cup using a sippy
Even though the sippy cup is fully designed to support growing independence in babies, don’t hesitate to guide your child through the transition. These tips are also valid in case of small difficulties, to avoid bigger frustrations.
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Start early—from 6 months—by varying containers and routines.
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First, offer small amounts of water to reduce the risk of choking or spills.
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Encourage your child and remain positive. Babies (just like adults) are very receptive to enthusiastic (even overly enthusiastic) encouragement.
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Always be gentle and patient. Whatever the learning process, hugs, a pressure-free atmosphere, and a kind approach are always beneficial.
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Make it a game using fun songs, sensory play, or by modeling the behavior.
How to help a baby who is struggling to drink?
Every child has their own pace. Some babies may encounter difficulties in certain stages of learning and none in others—struggles you can help them overcome.
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Holding the cup, tumbler, or bottle: If the container is too heavy, slippery, or hard to handle, it can be dropped or tipped over. Here, the flexible silicone, grip-friendly shape, and anti-slip effect provide the answer. To help, you can show your baby how to hold it with both hands and start by offering the new cup only during short sessions.
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Drinking without spilling: If you notice that your baby is spilling water using their current cup, try a spill-proof sipping spout. To drink, your little one will need to suck, allowing them to control their movements and avoid small mishaps. To help, encourage them to drink more slowly.
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Getting used to new sensations: It’s possible your baby may find using a rigid container odd or unpleasant. Once again, the unique shape of the Bubble sippy, its gentle flexibility, and sipping spout make it a soft, easy alternative. To help, let your child explore various possibilities, positions, and rhythms, to drink like a big kid.
These small, temporary issues can have multiple causes and could simply be due to your child refusing to change their usual habits. If you’re unsure, check these possibilities first:
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A change introduced too soon: The sippy cup is recommended from 6 months, but since each child develops at their own pace, it might still be a bit early for yours.
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Eye-hand coordination still developing: Your child may not yet have enough fine motor skills to hold the cup and drink at the same time.
Discovering and using the sippy cup is an important milestone for your baby. It’s a moment of pride for them, and for you as well. To support them, start early—at 6 months—by offering small amounts of water. Encourage your baby in their efforts and always be patient. Also, remember that all learning is a game. Sit next to your baby, take your own cup, and drink too. Laughter, mimicry, and precious memories guaranteed!
If your child has a hard time, don’t worry. Try to understand the cause and adapt your approach accordingly. With your love and support, your baby will soon be drinking from a sippy cup like a pro.
